World leaders are returning home after a lengthy conference in Paris to discuss international commitments to combating “climate change,” a politically-loaded term used to describe changes (or no changes) in weather.

In recent years, the left has hardened their position that “climate change” is both real and man-made. With this unshakeable belief, leftist lawmakers and media personalities have become increasingly intolerant of dissenting opinions much in the way that authorities who once believed that the sun orbited the Earth were quick to persecute those who dared to disagree with the “settled science” of the time.

The Paris agreement is yet another international agreement that relies upon the United States to do the heavy lifting, but also includes proposals by 186 countries to limit their emissions and touch-base with the international community every five years to report on their progress.

Like the Iran deal that threatens both the U.S. and Israel, the Paris agreement has little means of enforcement and relies upon the honor system. To better-effect this change, Secretary of State John Kerry turned to the liberal playbook and maintained that public shaming was the most-powerful weapon to achieve the goals of the left.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Kerry defended the merits of the climate agreement, but host Chuck Todd challenged him on how the deal will be implemented.

“There’s a lot of pledges. There’s a lot of promises. But there seems to be no mechanism for getting countries to comply other than wagging your finger at them and shaming them. Am I wrong?” Todd asked.

“Well that’s the most powerful weapon in many ways,” Kerry replied, “but it’s not the only weapon. And, in fact, we think that there are other powerful weapons.”…

“People understand this issue,” Kerry said. “This is not a question of just doing it because it seems nice or politically it’s good. It’s because it’s [climate change] having a profoundly negative impact on nations. They need to respond, and that’s perhaps the most compelling reason of all.”

Todd pushed Kerry on what exactly will happen if a country does not fully adhere to the agreement.

“Okay, so somebody doesn’t comply. Again, what’s this law that you’re going to hit them with, other than international shame?” Todd asked.

Kerry explained that a mechanism is being set up under the framework of the agreement “that will promote compliance,” in which nations will help “bring them on board.”

“You don’t always need a sledgehammer,” Kerry said. “If you can provide people with technology, or you provide them with technical assistance, or you’ve discovered a new means of reducing emissions…at least cost, more efficiency, there will be a huge sharing of these kinds of experiences through the reporting mechanism of the agreement. And that’s going to have a profound impact on a lot of countries, Chuck.”

Kerry admitted that all of this is not necessarily enough “to get us there,” but it will “send a powerful message to the global marketplace.” He said on Fox News Sunday that there would not have been a deal at all if there were actual penalties for not meeting emissions standards.

It is truly hard to discern what is more alarming: that the Obama Administration is willing to tout each and every handshake agreement as a success like Neville Chamberlain in the ‘30’s or the fact that “public shaming” is the go-to political weapon of this regime on any matter where they feel moral righteousness is on their side (which is, to date, virtually every issue).

About the Author

An unapologetic patriot and conservative, Greg emerged within the blossoming Tea Party Movement as a political analyst dedicated to educating and advocating for the preservation of our constitutional principles and a free-market solution to problems birthed by economic liberalism. From authoring scathing commentaries to conducting interviews with some of the biggest names in politics today including party leaders, activists and conservative media personalities, Greg has worked to counter the left’s media narratives with truthful discussions of the biggest issues affecting Americans today.
Greg’s primary area of focus is Second Amendment issues and the advancement of honest discussion concerning the constitutional right that protects all others. He lives in the Northwest with his wife, Heather, and enjoys writing, marksmanship and the outdoors.